Jack Croft's latest restoration project will shine at this year's Mokin Jervis Bay.
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A fleet of cool and classic Mokes will motor into the region from March 21 and it's sure to be a great event.
Moke lovers are always happy to speak about their mean machines and the event will pump much-needed funds into the local economy.
Jack's red machine is sure to stand out from the rest.
He will be representing the Shoalhaven Historic Vehicle Club at the event.
The Tomerong resident is looking forward to seeing all the other Mokes and meeting the other Moke enthusiasts.
"It's going to be interesting seeing so many Mokes and there are a lot of them around but you just don't see them that often," he said.
Jack, when it comes to restoring Mokes, is the right man for the job.
As a mechanical engineer, he is vastly experienced when it comes to restoring cars and said doing up the Moke "was a snack of a thing".
"It's built like a Mini and the front end comes out of it and you can do that up and put it back in and the back end comes out and you do it up and put it back in," he said.
He said the process was easy with a Moke as it did not have doors or a boot to work on.
"Really it's a simple car to do up," he said.
Jack purchased two Mokes from a deceased estate in Kiama about 10-months ago
."I had to get two to build one," he said.
One Moke was used for the body and the other for various parts.
The one used for the body had a bit of rust down one side - but nothing a craftsman like Jack could not handle.
"I am fortunate - I can rebuild anything," he said.
" I am a bit peculiar - once I start on a project I get a bit obsessed.
"It was my first Moke project and it was a new learning experience but I have done up some other vintage cars."
Close to four months later and the results are amazing.
"It all came together nicely," he said.
His Californian comes with globe mag wheels because he does not like the Sunraysia rims on a Moke.
He does not like the bullbars, front and back, that some Mokes have on them.
"I took a stainless steel approach and got a stainless steel windscreen and stainless steel bars on the back. Those globe mags come up really nice," he said.
You would be hard-pressed to find a cleaner engine and there is definitely no oil leakage issues with this mean machine.
His daughter Fiona Croft was the driving force behind the Moke restoration process.
"I did a Triumph Spitfire up for her and my other kids and she saw a Moke one day and said 'we need a Moke' and so I had to look for one," Jack said.
Fiona loves the end result and loves taking it on the road.
Jack might just be a tad reluctant to see the Moke drive away from his home in Tomerong permanently.
"It's a fun car to drive," he said.
When you are flashing around in a red hot Moke it's hard to go unnoticed.
"It's amazing the attention you get when you drive around. I think many people remember Mokes and they point when they see you driving around," he said.
Jack remembers seeing Mokes zooming around the place, particularly in the 1970s/80s and he like many others thought they were pretty cool.
"I like this era of vehicles and I like the old Pommy vehicles - I think they are special," he said.
"I like the earlier ones - I don't like the late model cars - I don't like them when they start to have too much plastic."
His beautiful red Moke is a 1981 model.
"This is one of the last Mokes they built in Australia," he said.Jack reckons his Moke would comfortably sit on 100 kilometres on the open road.
However, he is never in any rush to hit top speed - he just likes cruising around.
"It's surprising how well it handles on the road - it just feels so nice and feels so nice because everything is brand new in it - I have reconditioned everything," he said.
He would never sell his Moke.
Jack said it was surprising when you learn and hear about all the local Moke restoration projects.
"Mind you - I don't know how they ever got them registered in Australia - they just don't safe do they," he questioned.
But then again who needs safety when you can get behind the wheels of such a cool machine.
The inaugural Mokin Jervis Bay was held in 2018 and people came from all over Australia to attend.
This year's event, following the bushfire crisis, will pump much-needed funds into the economy and the Mokes will be zooming all around the region.
The itinerary for this year's Mokin Jervis Bay is:
March 21 to 30 2020.
Saturday 21st Sussex inlet tour, lunch and bare foot bowls at RSL.
Sunday 22nd Kiama blow holes, saddle back mountain and Kiama.
Monday 23rd Currarong head land, Abrahams Bosom, Gosangs tunnel top to bottom.
Callala Bay bowling for lunch return via Pyre, Jindy Andy lane Nowra and return.
Tuesday 24th Booderee Park guided tour by rangers.
Wednesday 25th lay day (REST DAY) Explore the sights and enjoy what the bay has to offer.
Thursday 26th Tour of HMAS Creswell. 2-way radio a must. Fleet air arm museum.
Friday 27th Kangaroo Valley, Carrington Falls top to bottom, Illawarra Fly return.
Saturday 28th Huskisson, Milton via forest to Nelligen, Batemans Bay and return.
Sunday 29th Drive to Nerriga Hotel for lunch return to Huskisson.
Monday 30th Mokers return home.